As Profits Surge, BHP Billiton Weighs Higher Dividend

By Reuters

Feb. 17, 2014

BHP Billiton, the world’s largest mining company, reported a 31 percent increase in its profit for the first half of its fiscal year, and the Australia-based company indicated that it would consider raising its dividend in August, as it cuts its debt toward levels that may prompt a share buyback. BHP said its underlying profit rose to $7.76 billion for the six months through December, up from $5.94 billion a year earlier and ahead of analysts’ expectations. Its revenue rose 5.9 percent, to $33.9 billion.

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